But why is that?
Road racing (and TT) seems to produce a constant stream of people willing to put the effort in so why doesn't XC? I can see that for some XC is always going to be too much effort compared to letting gravity do the hard work. BTW this isn't to malign top level down-hillers - believe me, I wouldn't even try what they do - I know it takes as much training and preparation as XC at this level. But surely the mtb equivalent of road racers exists too - or doesn't it and if not why not? I can't believe it's that Brits are some how physiologically unsuited to the rigours of XC compared to the shear guts and craziness of DH.
I think there may be many reasons. Popularity in other disciplines after all Track and road have really taken off, and we have history in downhill. Oppurtunity maybe ?
But i think the main reason is the type of XC races (courses) are boring compared to freeriding etc. They re not cheap to enter either. They have just become so unpoular.
I think also would be XC ers would rather throw their cash at challenge type events.
Sad but thats how it is. Untill there is a radical re think I dont imagine it will change
